Introduction and Part II “God is good, dispassionate and immutable. Now someone who thinks it reasonable and true to affirm that God does not change, may well ask how, in that case, it is possible to speak of God as rejoicing over those who are good and showing mercy to those who honour Him, while turning away from the wicked and being angry with sinners. To this it must be answered that God neither rejoices nor grows angry, for to... Read more
“Are the three Kings here yet?” – Tomas Rocha (age 5) On this the Feast of St. John the Evangelist, I would like to embark on a project that is very near and dear to me, that connects many of my interests and passions together: the notion and practice of liturgy as mystagogy. In RCIA (short for “Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults”), the word ‘mystagogy’ refers to the period of catechesis after baptism or other sacraments of initiation. I... Read more
There is a very telling scene in the plays of St Therese of Lisieux, where the angels come to adore the child Jesus in the manger. The last to come is that of the angel of the last judgment. He comes bringing a sword; Jesus tells him to lay it down: THE ANGEL OF THE LAST JUDGMENT gets up. Jesus, supreme beauty! have you forgotten That sinners must be punished at the end? … Have You forgotten, in Your extreme... Read more
She was five, sure of the facts, and recited them with slow solemnity convinced every word was revelation. She said they were so poor they had only peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to eat and they went a long way from home without getting lost. The lady rode a donkey, the man walked, and the baby was inside the lady. They had to stay in a stable with an ox and an ass (hee-hee) but the Three Rich Men found... Read more
I went shopping today, I went to church in other words. Yesterday, my post (arguing that D. Trump is the president who forces us to face our present, national reality—and a reality we deserve) was met by some outrage on several accounts. One of them was this: my profanity-laced jeremiad against shopping and the USA went too far. Here is some recent news to the contrary: ESPN – CNN – Reuters – NY Daily News (more…) Read more
This is quite good. You should read it it full, but here are the worst ideas (my commentary in parantheses): 1. Taxes should be more regressive (as all Republican candidates plans imply, at a time of record inequality). 2. Austerity works (the confidence fairy is a myth). 3. Export growth models are sustainable (one country’s exports are another countries imports). 4. Fannie and Freddie did it (the private sector was caught red handed, but let go). 5. Cutting social security... Read more
Catholic missionaries have long understood the need to respect the traditions of the peoples they visited. They knew that one had to look for the truth in their religious beliefs, realizing of course, that such truth is likely to be mixed with error and needs to be complemented by the revealed truths of the Christian faith. Nonetheless, in trying to teach others, they also had to be taught, they also had much to learn, and, if they did their work... Read more
Newt Gingrich has come and gone. I thought he might offer something concrete via immigration reform, but, alas, he seems to have backed off and has added provisos that are counterproductive, along with more than enough counterbalancing nonsense. Oh well. Since coming to this sad realization, I’ve been searching for my next candidate. Listening to him promote his new book (Time to Get Tough: Making America #1 Again) on the radio last night, I began to deeply regret Donald Trump... Read more
Hat tip to the choir director at my parish, who sent this around today. UPDATE: This appears to have originated at Commonweal, though the author is anonymous. Traditional Christmas Cookie Recipe Serves: you and many. Cream these ingredients, that by their comingling you may begin to make the dough: 1 chalice butter, 2/3 chalice sugar. In a similar way, when the butter is consubstantial with the sugar, beat in: 1 egg. Gather these dry ingredients to yourself and combine them,... Read more
Fresh off a dissent with Church teachings on immigration policy, Rick Santorum – the one extremist Republican presidential candidate who has not yet had his day in the sun – is showing an interest in rising inequality. This is what he has to say: “They talk about income inequality. I’m for income inequality. I think some people should make more than other people, because some people work harder and have better ideas and take more risk, and they should be... Read more
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